Bloodroot in Around the World in 80 Books

Apr 21, 2019 Susan rated it really liked it

So much tragedy in this novel, seems like the only happy moments were in the characters' childhoods. The author gave wonderful descriptions of the mountain communities and living conditions, the poverty and superstitions. The section taking place with Myra and the Odem family was so vivid and horrifying it made my skin crawl. ...more

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Jul 01, 2013 Amanda R rated it liked it

This was definitely not an easy story to read. It kept my interest, but was very heavy. It focuses on a woman, Myra, as well as telling the stories of several people impacted by her in some way - her granny who raised her, the boy next door who's love for her was unrequited, the son and daughter who were taken from her, and the man who married her.

I liked the shifting POVs and the order in which the story was told. The author did a good job of revealing just the right amount at a time - it left ...more

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Jan 16, 2012 Jessica rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, southern

This feels a lot like an Oprah book to me - a multigenerational story with magical elements, highlighted with a rural setting, grinding poverty, and domestic abuse. Greene writes well, but ultimately the subject matter just isn't my taste and I find her conclusion to be both somewhat unrealistic and rather depressing. ...more

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Jul 29, 2010 Telly rated it liked it

Amy Greene is a beautiful storyteller. Her writing style is somewhat reminiscent of Silas House, but her voice, and the one she gives her characters, is uniquely her own. With that tool, she weaves together a beautiful story set in Appalachia that incorporates all the magic, beauty, sadness, grief, roughness, and mystery of the region without patronizing it. It reads like homage. She does wonders building up to the pinnacle of this beautiful story and then ending at just the right moment with ju ...more

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Jul 11, 2012 Chantal rated it it was amazing

I loved this book. Though its sad, it inspired me because it was so well-written and described an experience, living on Bloodroot mountain, so well. The characters are so well-developed I felt I knew them or someone like them. This is an amazing author and I'm looking forward to her next book.

My complete review, chantalreviews.blogpspot.com ...more

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